Multiimage sign



May l0, 1938. lw. E. MacLAREN 2l17187 MLTIIMAGE SIGN Filed April 19, 1937 2 Shee'CS-'S11ee1l 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oil-Fics 19 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple legend sign construction.

The chief object Vof thisinventionis toprovide a sign structure with one relatively stationary set of sign sections which when exposed, forms one legend and with which is associated one `or more groups of movable sign sections for respectively exposing one or more .different legends.

One feature of the invention .consists `in .providing means for swingably supporting each group of. a plurality of sign sections with reference to a relatively stationary group of sign sections so that each group of sign sections is progressively eX- posed for legend display.

Various other objects and features will be set forth more fully hereinafter, `reference .being had to the detailed description which follows.

The full nature of the invention will be more fully understood from the accompanying `drawings and following description and claims:

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a rear elevational View of a sign structure embodying the invention, parts being shown in a position corresponding to the exposure of the rearmost group of sign sections.

Fig. 2 is a similar View of the same parts corresponding to the position wherein -the foremost or relatively stationary group of lsign `sections is exposed. I Fig. 3 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view through the left hand portion of the device, the

rearmost group of `sign sections being exposed,

and the `figure corresponding with Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. .3.i1lustrating the intermediate and movable group of sign sections exposed.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Figs. 3 and 4 Withthe parts shown in a position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 and wherein the foremostand ai) relatively stationary group of sign sections is `exposed.

In the foregoing, it is to be understood that the terminology foremost and rearmost is relative, and foremost refers to the position .of the anchorage of the sign sections with reference to the plane of the opening of the frame through which opening the respective legends are exposed.

Fig-.6 is a View similar to .the actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and `corresponds `to ,the position shown therein, Vbut relates to a sign having one stationary group of .sign sections and three movable groups of ,sign sections.

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view through one of the sign sections and its immediate supporting member.

Reference will be had to Figs. 1 and 2. .In said figures I0 indicates a panel or frame having an .opening II therein through which is visible the then exposed sign sections.

A 'pair of. metal straps AI2 is suitably secured at oppositeends as at I3 to the back of the frame or panel IU. If desired, the side members I4 may also be employed. To facilitate changing of copy, preferably the .frame I2, I3 and I4 is rigidly associated together. This frame insofar as thestraps I2 are concerned, includes a lplurality of offset portions and these resemble very closely, as it were, `a ratchet tooth formation applied to a rack bar.

Each relatively stationary sign section indicated by the numeral I5, is `riveted or otherwise suitably secured as by an eyelet arrangement I6 at its upper and lower ends to `the upper 'and lower `strap I2. Fig. 7 illustrates such a mounting. The same .type of mounting is employed in the other sign section groups. It Vwill be notedsee Figs. 3 to 5 inclusivethat theseveral sections I5 have the same vinclination with respect .to the plane of the frame I0 and that they are spaced apart a suitable distance sufficiently to include therebetween two or more movable sign sections.

The frst'frame structure with its included sign sections is, as stated, suitably secured to the back of the panel I0. Panel I0 supports .adjacent the opening and rigid therewith, a protective shield Vandstop I1.

A second and movable group of sign sections includes sections I8 which .are `similarly secured at `their upper and lower ends to the straps I9 formed similar to the straps I2, and similarly secured thereto as indicated in Fig. 7-that is, by eyelets. The two straps 1I 9 are suitably secured in spaced relation by the vertical straps '20, the adjacent ends .being eyeleted as at .=I2 I. It will be noted-.see Figs. 3 to A5 inclusive-that `the sign sections I8 are of .greater width than the sign sectionsl 5 but are of less length than thesame.

A third group of sign sections 'is illustrated and I this constitutes another movable group. Numeral `2| indicates these sign sections and .these are similarly secured at `their upper and lower ends tothe straps 22, similar to straps I2 and I9.

The .straps22 are suitably secured to the vertical `straps 23 as at I'24.

AThe several lsign sections .I8 are similarly lnclined to the plane of the opening in the frame as :sections I5 are inclined thereto and similarly, Asections 21| `are so inclined. Also the spacing .be-

tween successive sign sections I or I8 or 2| are substantially the same. It will also be notedsee Figs. 1 and 2-that sign sections 2| are of less height than sign sections I8 which are of less height than sign sections I5. It also will be noted-see Figs. 3 to 5-that sign sections 2| are of greater width than sign sections I8 which in turn are of. greater width than sign sections l5.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the support arrangement and also the actuating means for the several groups of movable sign sections. As previously set forth, the foremost group of sign sections, to-wit, I5 are rigidly secured to the rear of the frame and are closest to the plane of the opening. The sign sections |8, or intermediate group, are positioned next closest to the plane ofthe opening and the sign sections 2| are the rearmost positioned group of sign sections shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

Pivotally supported upon spacing members 24 and as at 25, are links 26. These links 26 have their lower ends offset as at 21. and each offset end is pivoted as at 28 to the frame of the intermediate group of sign sections.

Pivotally supported as at 29 on spacing members 3U are the links 3| which have their lower ends pivotally connected as at 32 to the frame portion of the rearmost group of sign sections. Thus, each of the two movable group of sign sections is independently and swingingly supported by the frame structure for movement to and fro, which to and fro movement causes the several sign sections of each group to assume different relative positions with respect to the sign sections of the stationary group and the other movable group.

To prevent free swinging of the parallelogram or parallel motion links, suitable means such as a roughened washer, may be associated with each mainframe and pivoted link end.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, 4E) indicates a rotating shaft, rotatable by any suitable means and carrying rigid therewith, a crank arm 4|. A link or connecting rod 42 is pivotally connected at one end as at 43 to the crank and is pivotally connected at 44 tothe link 3|. The link 3| in turn is connected by a link 45 as at 46 and link 45 includes an elongated slot 4l in which rides a pin 48 carried by the link 26. Thus, in the rotation of shaft 40, the movable groups of sign sections are caused to assume in succession, different positions with respect to the sections of each movable group and the sections of the stationary group.

Fig. 3 illustrates the exposure of the rearmost sign sections through the opening II, said rearmost sign sections lapping, masking or covering, as it were, the two other groups of sections, to wit, the foremost and the intermediate groups of sections.

Fig. 4 illustrates the rearmost group of sections retracted into nested relation and lying behind the adjacent stationary sections and exposing the intermediate sections which in turn mask or llap the stationary sections.

the sign sections of each group are substantially parallel to each other and each sign section is biased in substantially the same inclination to a common plane, to-wit, the plane of the opening or the main frame.

Reference now will be had more especially to Figs. 1 and 2. When the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, the rearmost sign sections will be exposed. As the shaft rotates clockwise, the rearmost sign sections are withdrawn from the so-called exposed position and retracted suiciently into the nested position so that the ex- Yposable portions are masked by the intermediate sign sections. These remain in the original position and in this movement, the crank arm has advanced clockwise approximately 90 and the pin 48 in the slot 41, and carried by the link 26 has moved from one end of the slot to the other.

Continued clockwise rotation of the shaft then causes further nesting, while masked, of the rearmost sign sections and simultaneously withdraws the exposed portions of the intermediate sign sections into nested or masked position with reference to the foremost or stationary sign sections, and this positioning corresponds to that shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Continued clockwise rotation thereupon projects the rearmost sign sections intoexposed position, masking the stationary sign sections, and, of course, at the same time masking the intermediate sign sections which remain stationary during the initial portion of this subsequent time interval. During this initial portion of the interval, the slotted link moves relative to the pin so that at the end of this initial period, the pin 48 is positioned in the right hand end of the slot as shown in Fig. l, but .the section and link parts, however, are not in that position.

The intermediate sign sections and the stationary sign sections are then positioned as shown in Fig. 2 but the rearmost sign sections are positioned otherwise than as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Continued rotation of the shaft 4U, as stated` is from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, and it will be further observed that during the rotation of the shaft 40 from the position approximately 6U counterclockwise from the position of the arm 4I in Fig. 1 to approximately 60 in a clockwise direction from the position of arm 4| shown in Fig. 1, the rearmost sign sections will remain exposed to display the legend thereon.

The exposure of the intermediate legend is determined by the length of the slot 4l' and the position of the connections between link 3| and arm 4| and the position of said arm, said link 3| and link 42 relative to each other at the time that the pin 48 is at the right hand end of the slot 4l. Movement of the rearmost sign sections into retracted, nested or non-exposed position is rapidly effected during the initial part of the rotary-to-reciprocatory transfer mechanism operation and the lost motion connection shown has its initial period of operation devoted to this change in legending and the remainder of that interval corresponding to the remainder of the length of the slot is the interval during which the intermediate sections are exposed and mask the stationary sections. Continued rotation of the shaft effects a relatively quick retraction of the intermediate sections from in front of the foremost sections and thus exposes the foremost and stationary sections to expose the legend thereon.

Fig. 6 diagrammatically illustrates the actuating mechanism for a multiple legend display device of sign section character, each legend being formed by a `plurality of sign sections of the same group. The same broad principle `disclosed vin Figs. 1 to 5 is employed.

In Fig. 6,the numeral indicates a source-of rotary power, 5l a crank arm, 52 a connecting rod `pivoted thereto. A support 53 carried `by the frame of this form of the sign, not shown, pivotally supports at54 the link 55 and the lowerend as at 56 is connected to a sign group structure, indicated by the numerals51a and51b. Theconnecting rod 52 is pivotally connected at 58 to the link 55.

In the same manner, another support 59 pivotally supports at `60 the upper end of the link 6|, the lower end of which as at 62 is connected to a sign group structure designated by the numeral 63a and 63h. A link 64 is pivotally associated with the link at 56 and includes an elongated slot 65 in which is mounted a pin 66 carried by the link 5l.

Another support 61 pivotally supports at 68 a link 69 which at its lower end is `pivotally connected as at 1D to a sign group structure 11a and 1lb. The link 69 mounts a pin 12 that rides 4in a slot 13 of link 14 pivoted at 15 to link 6l.

`The stationary group of sign sectionsis not illustrated in Fig. 6. VThe dotted positions of arm 5I are indicated by the numerals 5ta, 51h and 5|c. The stationary group may be employed.

When the mechanism is positioned as shown in Fig. 6, the rearmost group of sign sections Acarriedby the frame structure 1|a.` and 1lb are fully protected and mask the stationary group of sign sections, if employed, and the two other movable groups of vsign sections.

When the crank arm 5| is `moved to the position indicated by the numeral 51a, the link 64 has been moved to the right and thepin A66 is moved to the other end of the slot 65. Thetwo movable groups of sign sections supported `by the frames (i3d- 63h and 11a-1lb, remain stationary. When the parts are positioned as last indicated, the rearmostgroupof sign sections will be retracted into nested position, having reference to the exposure thereof for legend exposing purposes `and thus there is then exposed the legend carried by the sign sections supported by the frame l`63a,-'6%b, the latter -sign sections masking `the projected portions of the sign sections carried by the frame 11a- 1lb yand the stationary sign sections.

Movement of the crank arm 5| Vfrom the position `shown in 5Ia to the position shown in 51h, causes the continued retraction into further nested position of the `rearmost sign sections. In this movement, link 55 continues its movement to the rightfand is accompanied in its movement to the right by the link 5I. This exposes the exposed portion of the sign sections carried by the frame 11a-1lb. These sign sections carried by lthe vframe Hap-1lb now only mask ithe stationary `sign sections, not shown.

In the movement of the crank arm 5I Vfrom the position indicated by the numeral "51h to the Vposition indicated at 51o, the sign sections -caritions. `The legending ofthe stationary sign `secftions remains exposed until such 'time as the crank -arm has continued its `rotation `to a sufficient degree to move the link 55 from its tilted position to the right, see 5Ic, into the full ,line position to the left, as shown in Fig. 6. '.It, of

course, is to be understood that long priorto this positioning shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the rearmost sign sections have been fully exposedwand mask the legend of the stationary sign sections, and during `the travel of the crank arm 5l from the position shown at 5ic in a clockwise `direction to the position indicated by the full lines in Fig. -6, the other movable sign sections are in turn but in reverse order from their exposure, caused to be moved into a position corresponding to the exposed position, although at that time being masked by the rearmost sign sections 2.which are in the exposed position. This conditions'the two intermediate sign sections for subsequent exposure upon initial retraction and/or subsequent continued retraction of the masking sign `sections ofthe respective groups. i

It will be quite obvious that additional groups of movable sign sections may be utilized so `that the number of legends exposed is only limited by the limits of the specific mechanism illustrated herein. Neither Figs. 1 nor 2 illustrate the .adjustable arrangements provided. For example, the crank arm may be so arranged that its effective length may be adjusted. Also, the links 42 and -52 may be of such character 'that `either .or both ends may have a plurality of aligned holes, any one of which is associated with the pivotal connection to the sign section frame supporting link or the crank arm, and in the same manner,

the slotted link, or links, maybe provided witha plurality of holes so as to be capable of `adjusting the effective length ofthe respective slottedlinks.

It is an inherent characteristic of the mechanism disclosed that the rearmost group of sign sections always includes sections which are `Wider than the preceding sections and are narrower in length or height than the sign sections of `the preceding groupand this characteristic applies to each group. Thus, the foremost or stationary group is of the greatest height or length and of the narrowest width.

While the invention has been described ingreat detail in the foregoing description and similarly illustrated in the drawings, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. The modifications herein disclosed as well as others which will readily suggest themselves Vto persons skilled in this art, are all consideredto be within the broad scope of the invention, refer- Vence being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similai-ly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one Vmovable group, and a lostrnotion connection means between adjacent movable groups.

2. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein -and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately =to the rear ofthe opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, there being one less lost motion connection means than there is movable groups of sign sections.

3. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned .immediately to the rear of the opening vand biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, each sign section group progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group.

4. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections inthe next adjacent rearward group,

5. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, each sign section group progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group, the sign sections of each group, progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group.

6. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, there being one less lost motion connection means than there is movable groups of sign sections, each sign section group progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group.

7. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotary-to-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend i of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, there being one less lost motion connection means than there is movable groups ci sign sections, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group.

8. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein and a group of relatively stationary, spaced and parallel sign sections positioned immediately to the rear of the opening and biased to the plane thereof, of a plurality of movable sign section groups, each including similarly positioned, interconnected sign sections, a rotaryto-reciprocatory power transformation arrangement for successively exposing the legend of each group, means connecting said arrangement to one movable group, and a lost motion connection means between adjacent movable groups, there being one less lost motion connection means than there is movable groups of sign sections, each sign section group progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group, the sign sections of each group, progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group.

9. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an intertting nesting arrangement, a

pair of links for each group, each link being oper- 60 atively and pivotally connected at one end to the frame structure of the associated group and at the opposite end to the frame, said pairs of links, associated frame structure and frame constituting a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend.

10. In a multiple legend sign construction, the

combination with a frame having a legend ex- ,70 posing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups yanc/nerf having an interttingnesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof `and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each` group legend, said single power means including an eccentric, a connecting rod` connecting the eccentric and one of the links of one ofthe groups, and a linkbetween one adjacent pair of links of adjacent groups, pivotally connected to one of the linksand having a pin and slot connection with the other link.

11. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination witha frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of` groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an intertting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the framestructure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, Aand a relatively stationary group of sign sections interposed between the other groups of sections and the frame, and similarly spaced and biased.

12. A device as dened by claim 10, characterized by the addition of a relatively stationary group of sign sections interposed between the other groups of `sections and the frame, and similarly spaced and biased.

13. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an intertting nesting arrangement, a

pair of links for eachgroup operatively and pivi otally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, each group of sign sections progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group.

14. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sectionsl thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an interiltting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group.

l5. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof intparallel group of sign sections progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greaterheight and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group. 16. In a multiplo legend sign construction, the combination with` a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and. spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having Van interfitting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, said single power means including an eccentric, a connecting rod connecting the eccentric and one of the links of one of the groups,

and a link between one adjacent pair of links of adjacent groups, pivotally connected to one of the links and having a pin and slot connection with the other link, each group of sign sections progressing rearwardly frorn the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group.

1'7. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an intertting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, said single power means including an eccentric, a connecting rod connecting the eccentric and one of the links of one of the groups, and a link between one adjacent pair of links of adjacent groups, pivotally connected to one of the links and having a pin and slot connection with the other link, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group.

18. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an intertting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, said single power means including an eccentric, a connecting rod connecting the eccentric and one of the links of one of the groups, and a link between one adjacent pair of links of adjacent groups, pivotally connected to one of the links and having a pin and slot connection with the other link, each group of sign sections progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group, the sign sections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next adjacent rearward group,

19. In a multiple legend sign construction, the combination with a frame having a legend exposing opening therein, of a plurality of groups of sign sections, a frame structure for each group supporting the sign sections thereof in parallel and spaced relation and biased to the plane of said opening, sign sections of adjacent groups having an interfltting nesting arrangement, a pair of links for each group operatively and pivotally connected to the frame structure thereof and the frame and constituting therewith a parallel motion support for the group, and a single power means actuating said frame structures for successive exposure of each group legend, said single power means including an eccentric, a connecting rod connecting the eccentric and one of the links of one of the groups, and a link between one adjacent pair of links of adjacent groups, pivotally connected to one of the links and having a pin and slot connection with the other link, each group of sign sections progressing rearwardly from the frame, being of greater height and less width than that of the next adjacent rearward group, the sign vsections of each group progressing rearwardly from the frame, each being of greater height and less width than that of the sign sections in the next -adjacent rearward group, a relatively stationary group of sign sections interposed between the other groups of sections and the frame, and sirnilarly spaced and biased.

W'ILLIAM E. MACLAREN. 

